The Godfather Collectibles

These are some collectibles out there somewhere:

GODFATHER BOOKS:
- The Godfather
  - By Mario Puzo (1969). Hardcover and paperback. There were many different covers for the paperback between the Signet and Fawcett releases. At least one of them includes previously unseen pictures from the film (e.g., Fawcett A1708 $1.65 (red cover)). The paperback was also released in Britian. The hardcover was available by GP Putnam's Sons, as well as an International Collectors Library edition. There is also a Large-Type edition, as well as a German-language edition called Der Pate, and the Italian-language Il Padrino
- The Godfather Legacy
  - By Harlan Lebo (Feb 1997). 284 pp Paperback. This is a must-have making-of book, and it's brand new! Tons of unseen photos!
- The Godfather Companion
  - By Peter Biskind (1990). Out of Print. 193pp oversized paperback covering all 3 films. HarperPerennial
- The Godfather Journal
  - By Ira Zuckerman (1972). Out of Print. 143pp paperback. A day-to-day account of filming The Godfather. Manor Books Inc.
- The Godfather Papers: And Other Confessions
  - By Mario Puzo (1972). Out of Print. 252pp hardcover or paperback. Essays by Puzo, incl. the making of the novel and film. Published by GP Putnam's Sons, as well as by a Book Club. Also published in Britain with a different dust jacket
- The Godfather Movies: A Pictorial History
  - By Gardner & Gardner (1993). 192pp oversized hardcover. Lots of info and pictures. Wings Books.
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RELATED BOOKS
- The Sicilian by Mario Puzo (1984, Linden Press). 410pp hardcover. Better than the film, this novel somewhat involves the Corleone family.
- The Films of Al Pacino by William Schoell (1995, Citadel Press). 223pp oversize softcover. A must for Pacino fans! Crammed full of pics from all of Pacino's films through Carlito's Way.
- Life On The Wire: The Life and Art of Al Pacino by Andrew Yule (1991, Donald I. Fine, Inc). 322pp hardcover. Pacino's well-done biography. Probably found at a discount.
- Brando by Robert Tanitch (1994, Studio Vista). 192pp hardcover. Great cover of the Don in silvertone grey! A filmography with lots of b&w pictures.
- Songs My Mother Taught Me by Marlon Brando with Robert Lindsey (1994, Random House). 470pp hardcover. One of the world's best actors -- finally in his own words.
- Conversations with Brando by Lawrence Grobel (1991, Hyperion). 210pp hard and softcover. Interview at Brando's residence in Tahiti. Probably found at a discount.
- Screen Greats: Marlon Brando by A. Frank (awaiting more info). Has a write-up on The Godfather, as well as some photos
- Coppola by Peter Cowie (1989, Charles Scribner's Sons). Evidently, a biography
- Notes/Eleanor Coppola by Eleanor Coppola (1979, Simon & Schuster). About her husband Francis
- On the Edge: The Life and Times of Francis Coppola by Michael Goodwin & Naomi Wise (1989, William Morrow). Evidently, a biography
- Celebrity Circus by Charles Higham (1979, Delacorte Press). 322pp hardcover. Has a 10.5-page chapter on Coppola
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LOBBY CARDS
- Lobby cards come 8 to a set, and are 11"x14" full-color movie scenes on heavy stock paper. They were used to display in theaters.
  - LCs from GF1:
    - #1 - Michael Shooting McClusky and the Turk
    - #2 - Vito and sons
    - #3 - Michael & his men, one kissing his hand
    - #4 - Sonny beating up Carlo
    - #5 - Wedding in Sicily
    - #6 - Bonesera whispering to Vito
    - #7 - Wedding Picture (Connie)
    - #8 - Sonny Riddled with bullets in his car
  - LCs from GF2:
    - #1 - Young Vito with towel wrapped around smoking gun
    - #2 - Pentangeli getting garotted by Rosato's
    - #3 - Michael covering Kay while getting shot at in bedroom
    - #4 - De Niro in hat, smirking, with 2 other faces covered up
    - #5 - The family portrait at Anthony's communion party
    - #6 - Shirtless Roth conversing with Michael
    - #7 - Closeup of a pensive De Niro with a man standing out of focus behind him
    - #8 - Don Michael sitting in his chair in the boat house
- Front-of-House (FOH) cards are British lobby cards that measure 8"x10" and have more than 8 scenes available.
  - FOH Cards from GF2:
    - #1- same as LC #1
    - #2- same as LC #2
    - #3- same as LC #3
    - #4- ?
    - #5- same as LC #5
    - #6- same as LC #6
    - #7- Fredo and Michael talking over drinks in Havana
    - #8- ?
    - #9- same as LC #7
    - #10- Carmine Rosato shooting toward camera in the street
    - #11- Young Vito's family photo at train station (as seen elsewhere on site)
    - #12- Michael being frisked for senate hearings
- Photobustas (approx 14x17")- are sort of large photocards, larger than a lobby card but smaller than a 1/2 sheet that were made for European releases of films. Sometimes called "jumbo lobby cards"
- Inserts (14x36") - similar to Lobby Cards
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POSTERS
- You can buy many Godfather wall posters and photos at MobPosters.com
- 1-Sheets (27x41") - standard size. GF1 came folded; GF2 may be rolled or folded; GF3 was rolled. GF3 is also available double-sided for theater light-boxes, as well as an Advance version (Coming Soon) with different artwork (Pacino in chair)
- Half-Sheets (22x28") - these are on heavier stock than 1-sheets
- 3-Sheets (41x81") - these come in two sections.
- A British 3-sheet mounted on linen was auctioned at Christie's in London March 12, 1996. Image is Brando's face, lots of white space. Estimated at $500-1000.
- 6-sheets (81x81") - not sure about GF availability
- 24-sheets (billboard)
- Video release posters - displayed in video stores, usually more colorful than the originals (especially for GF1 & GF2)
- Video CED Promo poster
- Video door panels (16x37") - vertically thin posters for doors (usually similar to art on video poster)
- International posters - Italian, Japanese, Spanish, etc
- Posters distributed by someone other than Paramount may be found. There is at least one that I know of: PP-606 GODFATHER (Make him an offer) distributed by AA Sales, Inc. (approx. 35x23") Features Brando at the meeting pointing, and an inaccurate quote: "Make him an offer he cannot refuse..."
- Reprint posters are an inexpensive way to decorate your dorm room without ruining a valuable 1-sheet
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LP RECORDS
- "The Godfather" Soundtrack - includes 21 color photos. There seems to have been a re-issue of this, with b&w (and fewer) photos
- "The Godfather Part II" Soundtrack - includes 18 color and b&w photos
- "Music from the Motion Picture 'The Godfather'" - Performed by the Italia Concert Orchestra (Angelo di Pippo, Conductor). This includes all the same tracks as the official soundtrack except for the "Baptism" and the "GF Finale." Also, the version of "I Have But One Heart," is sung completely in Italian, and not by Al Martino.
- "The Godfather's Family Wedding Album" (Paramount, 1972). Features wedding music not on the Godfather soundtrack. A must!
- "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About The Godfather, But Don't Ask" by the Crazy Gang (Columbia, 1972). A comedy album with a Brando impersonator.
- "The Firsta Family" by Jack De Leon and company (Poppy, 1972). Another comedy album.
- "Love Theme From The Godfather" (Al Martino) (Capitol, 1972). Johnny Fontane sings 3 from The Godfather, and others from the 40's. He sings the Love Theme (Speak Softly Love), The Godfather Waltz (Come Live Your Life With Me), and I Have But One Heart.
- "Love Theme From The Godfather" (Andre Kostelanetz) (Columbia, 1972). Instrumentalist covers the Love Theme, and other popular Themes and songs.
- "Love Theme from The Godfather" (Paul Mauriat) (Verve/MGM, Cat #SE-4838)
- "The Godfather Suite" (Carmine Coppola) - 3 b&w photos (on the LP version only). Also available on CD and cassette
- "The Godfather and other Movie Themes" (Henry Mancini) (RCA Victor, 1993). Includes The Love Theme
- "Musiche di Maurice Jarre dal Film IL DOTTOR ZIVAGO/Musiche di Nino Rota dal Film IL PADRINO" (Orchestre dirette da Johnny Douglas e al Caiola) (RCA, Cat #42767) - One side has music from Dr. Zivage, the other from the Godfather. The arrangements for the songs are not the same as on the official soundtrack. But it does include the Carmine wedding songs and even a version of "La Luna Miezz' 'o Mare" that Carmella (Mama) sings on stage with that great old guy.
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COMPACT DISCS
- "The Godfather" Soundtrack
- "The Godfather Part II" Soundtrack
- "The Godfather Part III" Soundtrack
- "The Godfather Suite" (Carmine Coppola) - 3 b&w photos (on the LP version only). Also available on LP and cassette
- "Cinema Italiano" (Henry Mancini) - It opens with music from "Cinema Paradiso", and has a bunch of other stuff by Nino Rota and Ennio Morricone, and closes with two or three songs from GF1.
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VIDEOS
- The Godfather DVD Collection - 5 DVD set including bonus disk - Oct 2001!
- The Godfather (1972) - also on laserdisc
- 1997! The Godfather Widescreen/Remastered Edition w/new interviews (also available in full-frame) - also on laserdisc
- The Godfather Part II (1974) - also on laserdisc
- 1997! The Godfather Part II Widescreen/Remastered Edition w/new interviews (also available in full-frame) - also on laserdisc
- The Godfather Part III (theatrical version) - version seen on cable, without the extra 9 mins of footage [privately taped]
- The Godfather Part III (Director's Cut; 1990) - released version with 9 mins extra footage than theatrical release - also on laserdisc
- 1997! The Godfather Part III (Director's Cut) Widescreen Edition w/new interviews (also available in full-frame) - also on laserdisc
- The Godfather Saga: "Mario Puzo's The Godfather--The Complete Novel for Television" (1977) - televised version of Parts I and II in chronological order, and with extra footage [privately taped]
- The Godfather 1902-1959: The Complete Epic (1981) - Out-of-print released version of Parts I and II in chronological order, with different footage than the Saga
- The Godfather Collection - boxed set of the three standard releases
- 1997! The Godfather Collection 25th Anniversary Widescreen/Remastered Edition (also available in full-frame)
- 1997! The Godfather Collection 25th Anniversary Widescreen/Remastered Edition (Limited Edition 5000 copies) incl. The Godfather Legacy book, new interviews, and an FFC-autographed certificate
- The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) - original boxed set of Parts I through III in chronological order, with extra footage. Includes The Godfather Family: A Look Inside [see it]
- 1997! The Godfather Trilogy (1997) 25th Anniversary Remastered Edition (6500 copies made; not available in Widescreen nor laserdisc)
- The Godfather Family: A Look Inside (1991) - Shown on PBS, this is the Making Of tape with outtakes, interviews, and footage from Parts I through III. Rarely found separate from Trilogy set.
- The Godfather - also available in Spanish and Italian
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SOME MAGAZINE & NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
- Mediascene #12 (April 1975) Large 11" x 17" tabloid format
- TV Guide (Nov 16-22 1974)
- Time (Dec 16, 1974) gives a nice review of GF2, plus many photos.
- Films In Reveiw (April 1972) features Don Corleone dancing with Connie on cover, but the write-up is brief.
- Playboy (June 1972) has GF film review
- Playboy (March 1974) "Don's Daughter-in-Law" article (has anyone actually read it?), with photospread of Simonetta Stefanelli (Apollonia)
- Playboy (July 1975) has an interview with Francis Ford Coppola
- MAD issue #155 (Dec 1992) spoofs the original GF movie
- MAD issue #178 and #304 spoof GF2 and GF3. There was also a special edition (#14; 1974) which did a parody of GFI
- Life (November 1990) features an article on GF3 and Michael Corleone on the cover.
- Life (March 10, 1972) has the cover story on GF1 [very nice, and very rare]
- Life (December 29, 1972) The Year in Pictures: includes short story on GF1 with picture of Brando and Michael's son, Anthony, spraying water toward Brando's bare feet
- Coast (April, 1975) "Francis Ford Coppola"
- Vanity Fair (June, 1990) "Under the Gun"
- Atlantic Monthly (August, 1976) "Francis Ford Coppola: A Profile"
- Variety (Jan 3, 1990) "Coppola Remarried to the Mob"
- NY Times Magazine (August 15, 1971) "The Making of The Godfather: Sort of a Home Movie"
- Wall Street Journal (Feb 9, 1990) "Saga of a Sequel"
- Wall Street Journal (Dec 23, 1974) "More Deaths in the Family"
- Moving Image (Jan 1982) "Interning with the Godfather"
- Newsweek (July 21, 1975) "Godfather III"
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MISC.
- Various Godfather 25th Anniversary promo items (1997)
- San Francisco 25th Anniv. Gala Premiere program
- AUTOGRAPHS: Be very careful when purchasing autographs!
- BRONZE BUST of Brando, as pictured on the cover of the GF1 Souvenir Book, created by make-up artist Dick Smith. Prepare to dump over $1000 on this rarity.
- GF3 coffee mug endorsed by Paramount
- GF Mobile (strings logo)
- GF Brando/cat refrigerator magnets (2"x3")
- GF VIDEO STANDUPS & STANDEES - For example, a "life size" (6 foot) Don Corleone and counter-top displays
- GF1,2,3 35mm film trailers
- GF sheet music - various sources, including The Godfather Trilogy: Musical Highlights from I, II & III which includes 32 b&w and 16 color photos! (Oh, yeah - it also has the piano/vocal music for 9 songs)
- THE GODFATHER on audio cassette. Abridged and Unabridged. Brilliance Corporation and others
- GF Lighted Promo Mirrors (1991) for video stores to promote the video cassette
- THE GODFATHER GAME: This is a board game from 1971 by Family Games Inc. It unfortunately has nothing to do with the novel or the film, but it is a mafia game. It was originally released in a plastic violin case, but later in a standard cardboard gamebox.
- GF1,2 SOUVENIR BOOKS: Distributed by Paramount Pictures in 1972 and 1974 to promote the first 2 films. Loads of photos and behind-the-scenes information.
- GF1,2,3 PRESSKITS - Cast and crew info with a variable number of b&w stills
- BASEBALL CAPS: Believe it or not, Wal-Mart was carrying these. Made in 1995 by Annco.
- TEE SHIRTS: I found this one at a flea market - slightly too small :)
- GF Beachtowel
- Italian movie collectors card for Godfather III
- GF Inkpads: incl. Brando's head
- GF DOS Computer Game (find it on ebay, or download it here)
- GF SPAGHETTI: Is any of that still around from the Seventies?
- more to come!
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MANY thanks to Donald Argiro and Nathan Salmon for adding to this list!

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Compilation, Layout, etc. ©1995-2002 J. Geoff Malta
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